Karen Newman
14-06-2007, 08:05 PM
For some time I have been looking for Elizabeth Down, my GG grandfather's youngest sister to 'complete the set'. I had her up to 1861 and then she disappeared. I sent off for 3 marriages certs convinced she was still in Devon, though why, when all her siblings had moved away.
Idly browsing the IGI (as one does), I came across a marriage to a John Bates in 1872, Sparkbrook, Warwickshire, the very area that two of her brothers had moved to! Looked on the 1881, and there she was, with her husband, living in the same house as one of her cousins (who I had found long ago, the penny had just not dropped that the Elizabeth with them was the one I was looking for). Got the right cert this time!
And, now for the next mystery, why then is she on the 1871 as Bates (when she was still a Down) with her 'husband' and son Daniel b1870? I sent off for the 'obvious' ref on the GRO but it was the wrong one (different parents). I might have found him as BATE but am reluctant to splurge again so soon on a cert. Maybe next month!
Idly browsing the IGI (as one does), I came across a marriage to a John Bates in 1872, Sparkbrook, Warwickshire, the very area that two of her brothers had moved to! Looked on the 1881, and there she was, with her husband, living in the same house as one of her cousins (who I had found long ago, the penny had just not dropped that the Elizabeth with them was the one I was looking for). Got the right cert this time!
And, now for the next mystery, why then is she on the 1871 as Bates (when she was still a Down) with her 'husband' and son Daniel b1870? I sent off for the 'obvious' ref on the GRO but it was the wrong one (different parents). I might have found him as BATE but am reluctant to splurge again so soon on a cert. Maybe next month!